Wildfires in the western United States are in the news, and Oklahoma Forestry Services personnel are being asked to assist. The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) mobilizes resources for wildland fire throughout the United States, and OFS began receiving resource order yesterday to send help.

???The recent rainfall means that fire conditions have moderated here in Oklahoma and allows us to help others in their time of need,??? stated Mark Goeller, Assistant Director and Fire Management Chief for Oklahoma Forestry Services.

In addition to his duties with OFS, Goeller serves as an operations section chief with the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team. Five OFS firefighters have headed west to assist with fires in Oregon and additional resource orders for more personnel and equipment are anticipated.

???When Oklahoma needs assistance we get resources from across the country, so it is always good when we can do the same for them,??? said Goeller.

OFS has 100 wildland firefighters tasked with battling Oklahoma fires, and they are joined by many more career and volunteer departments to suppress fires across the state. Cooler weather has provided a nice break after a fairly active spring fire season.

Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, is committed to conserving, enhancing and protecting Oklahoma's forests for present and future generations.